A programme of events has been released for the upcoming Tree Weekender event in Sydney Gardens in Bath, including a range of walks and creative sessions.
Image courtesy of B&NES Council
The Tree Weekender is set to take place on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th November.
All the events are free, but booking is essential due to the on-the-ground activities being run in small groups.
Alongside activities in the gardens, an online programme of activities and talks is also planned.
Councillor Jess David, cabinet assistant for Neighbourhood Services said: “The Tree Weekender is a great way to explore some of the garden’s hidden corners and uncover stories about the trees.
“There is a huge range of activities, so there is something for all. We will also be celebrating the success of the prose and poetry competition which received more than 80 entries.
“The winner of the competition will be announced at a celebratory finale on Sunday.”
The Tree Weekender programme features guided walks to suit all ages and interests.
Arboreal Splendour in Bath will follow a route from Royal Victoria Park to the gardens and is led by Paul Wood. ‘Trees – What’s the point?’ will mark the launch of National Tree Week and is led by Lewis Morrison of the Tree Council and a Sydney Gardens Heritage Tree Walk will be led by Julian Hight.
Walks at a slower pace will allow participants to practice Mindfulness with Trees with Huw Griffiths, or people can join a twilight guided tree walk led by Richard White.
Family-friendly activities taking place in the gardens include Capture-Create, a photo collage activity for age 13+, Nature Play with Foxglove Forest School for under 8s and Sgrafitto in the Gardener’s Lodge.
There are online talks on Ancient Trees: Living wonders and Arboreal ecosystems, and The Great Ginkgo: The Maidenhair tree and human health, as well as meditation with trees.
Online attendees can join a creative writing workshop or a drawing class (14+), take part in a conversation circle about strengthening our connections in nature, or quiz an expert panel on what tree to plant where.
The Sydney Gardens Tree Weekender writing competition on the theme of trees in parks and public gardens received dozens of entries.
The judge’s longlist can be viewed on the website here.
Shortlisted authors will join a nature writing online roundtable on Saturday 27th November and will have the opportunity to read their work during the finale of the event on Sunday 28th November.
The winners in both the poetry and prose categories will be announced at the finale, together with the best poem and story submitted by a B&NES resident.
Master of ceremonies at the finale will be Caleb Parkin, the current Bristol City Poet.
The Sydney Gardens Tree Weekender writing competition is run by Rethinking Cities Ltd / Museum of Walking on behalf Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The full Tree Weekender programme can be viewed online here. Booking for the events is open now.
